DATE:          August 31, 2006

TO:                Council Members

FROM:          S. Derek Phelps, Executive Director

RE:                  DOCKET NO. 317 - The United Illuminating Company application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the construction, maintenance, and operation of a proposed 115-kV/13.8-kV electric substation and associated facilities located at 3-7 Wildflower Lane, Trumbull, Connecticut.

I. Introduction

The application is from the United Illuminating Company (UI) for the construction, maintenance, and operation of a substation facility and associated facilities in the Town of Trumbull, Connecticut. The applicant has provided information and justification for site 1 (3-7 Wildflower Lane) and consideration of nine other sites.

UI proposes to construct a 115-kV to 13.8-kV substation and reconfigure the existing 115-kV transmission line #1730. The proposed site is composed of three parcels with a total area of 4.85 acres owned by UI. The substation would consist of a 377-foot by 202-foot irregular shaped fenced compound.

The proposed project would provide distribution capacity in the greater Trumbull area to allow UI to meet the growing capacity demand in that area. Currently, two substations serve Trumbull: Trap Falls Substation in Shelton; and Old Town Substation in Bridgeport. After the summer peak of 2007, UI predicts that these substations will no longer be able to meet the capacity needs in the greater Trumbull area.

II. Technical

The application includes relevant maps, descriptions of the proposed prime and alternate sites, costs, a description of the environmental effects of the proposed construction, and health and safety information. The application meets statutory technical requirements for processing the application. Council staff believes additional information can be obtained through pre-hearing interrogatories. This project would not require an outside consultant.

III. Administrative Review

The applicant has stated that all service and filing requirements pursuant to General Statutes § 16-50l (b) and (e) have been fulfilled. The applicant stated that notice to the general public was published in the Connecticut Post, The Trumbull Times, The Bridgeport News, and The Stratford Star. Also, the applicant submitted to the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board the same information that it provided to the municipality.

This application has trigged a Request for Proposal (RFP) pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) section 16a-7c administered by the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board. The RFP process identifies alternatives to energy projects filed with the Council. This process allows the Council to simultaneously evaluate each energy application against potential alternatives.

This proposed schedule assumes that no alternative proposals will be received by the deadline for submission, September 12, 2006. CEAB’s report to the Council is due on October 27, 2006.

Pursuant to CGS § 16-50p, the Council shall render a decision within 180 days after the deadline for filing an application following the RFP process. Adding 180 days to the deadline for submission of September 12, 2006 results in a deadline for decision of March 11, 2007.

IV. Procedural

The Council must also appoint a custodian of the docket and designate a place for the deposition of the transcript. Staff recommends designating Adriana Popa as custodian of the docket, holding the public hearing in the Town of Trumbull on Tuesday, October 24, 2006, and depositing the transcript in the Town Clerk’s Office of the Trumbull Town Hall. The hearing may be continued in New Britain on Thursday, October 26, 2006 if necessary.

V. Proposed Schedule

Mike Perrone
Siting Analyst